Square Kufic Workbook: Arabic Letterforms & Grid Examples

Square Kufic as a System of Form

Square Kufic is one of the most geometric forms of Arabic calligraphy. Its letterforms are constructed from horizontal and vertical strokes that meet at right angles, with no curves or diagonal movement. This visual discipline gives the style its distinctive balance, rhythm, and architectural character.

Ayat al-Kursi arranged in a spiral Square Kufic composition

Ayat al-Kursi in a Spiral Square Kufic Composition

An example of Ayat al-Kursi arranged as a spiral composition on a geometric grid.

Square Kufic is drawn as much as it is written. The style developed through Islamic architecture, where inscriptions had to fit walls, domes, brickwork, tile patterns, and other measured surfaces. Text became part of the structure itself, not simply an element placed on top of it.

Its apparent simplicity can be deceptive. Every space must be considered, repeated units must remain consistent, and the text must stay legible without breaking the grid. Designing in Square Kufic therefore requires an understanding of the relationship between the Arabic letter, the square, positive form, and negative space.

In this workbook, Nihad Taisir presents a selected visual library of Square Kufic letterforms. It includes core letter shapes, useful variations, individual words, and complete compositions. The workbook is not a step-by-step practice course. It is a visual reference that you can study, redraw, and use as a starting point for your own lettering and design explorations.

Get the Workbook

Download the 32-page PDF workbook

A Visual Reference for Understanding Square Kufic

The purpose of the workbook is to help you see Square Kufic as a system. Each composition follows an internal logic based on proportion, repetition, spacing, and the distribution of letterforms within a defined area. For this reason, the style is relevant not only to calligraphers but also to graphic designers, architects, mural designers, and anyone working with form, structure, and space.

Take time to examine each letterform and composition. You may redraw the examples to understand how their grids work. Square Kufic allows a limited but meaningful degree of freedom once its structural logic is understood.

The examples reflect Nihad Taisir’s practical observations from drawing, designing, and studying Arabic letterforms. They are offered as references for your own artistic or professional work, not as a single fixed formula.